Cupping & Gua Sha in Altamonte Springs, FL
Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapies for Pain, Tension & Recovery
If you feel tight, sore, stiff, or like your muscles just won't let go, cupping and gua sha can be great additions to your acupuncture treatment.
At New Direction Natural Medicine in Altamonte Springs, Dr. Stephanie Bartolotti, AP, DACM, uses cupping and gua sha to help relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and support the body's natural healing process.
These traditional Chinese medicine therapies are often combined with acupuncture for patients dealing with pain, tight muscles, limited mobility, stress, and stubborn areas of tension.
WHAT IS CUPPING THERAPY?
A Traditional Technique for Tight, Sore Muscles
You may have seen the circular marks cupping can leave behind, but there's a lot more to this therapy than the marks!
Cupping is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that uses specially designed cups placed on the skin to create gentle suction.
Instead of pressing down on tight muscles like massage, cupping gently lifts the skin and underlying tissues. This helps increase local circulation and can feel especially good on areas that are chronically tight or sore.
I commonly use cupping on the:
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Neck and shoulders
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Upper and lower back
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Hips
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Legs
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Areas of chronic muscle tension
Many patients describe cupping as a deep pulling or stretching sensation and find the treatment surprisingly relaxing.
BENEFITS OF CUPPING
Release Tension, Improve Circulation & Support Recovery
Cupping may be incorporated into your treatment to help:
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Relieve tight, tense muscles
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Reduce muscle soreness
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Improve local circulation
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Support recovery after exercise
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Improve mobility and flexibility
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Relieve neck, shoulder, and back tension
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Complement acupuncture for pain relief
One of the things I love about cupping is how well it pairs with acupuncture. Acupuncture allows me to address the bigger pattern contributing to your symptoms, while cupping gives me another way to work directly with areas of muscular tension.
WHAT ARE THOSE CUPPING MARKS?
What the Colors Mean & How Long They Last
This is probably the question I get asked the most!
Cupping can leave temporary circular marks that range from light pink to dark red or purple. They may look like bruises, but they aren't created in quite the same way as a traditional bruise.
The color and intensity can vary from one area of the body to another and from one treatment to the next.
Most marks gradually fade over several days.
So if you have a wedding, beach vacation, photoshoot, or an event where your back or shoulders will be showing, let me know before we cup!
WHAT IS GUA SHA?
A Hands-On Approach to Stubborn Muscle Tension
Gua sha is another traditional Chinese medicine technique that I frequently use for stubborn muscle tension and pain.
A smooth-edged tool is gently moved across the skin over areas of tightness or restriction.
The technique helps stimulate circulation in the area and can be especially helpful when muscles feel tight, knotted, or difficult to release.
I commonly use gua sha for:
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Neck tension
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Shoulder tension
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Upper back pain
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Tight muscles
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Limited mobility
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Areas that feel chronically stiff or restricted
Gua sha may leave temporary redness or small red or purple marks on the skin. These typically fade on their own.
CUPPING OR GUA SHA: WHICH ONE DO YOU NEED?
Your Treatment Is Personalized to You
You don't have to figure that out before your appointment.
I choose the techniques I use based on what I find during your treatment.
Some patients benefit most from acupuncture alone. Others may benefit from adding cupping, gua sha, or a combination of therapies.
That's one of the reasons I don't believe in giving everyone the exact same treatment. Your treatment should be based on what's going on with your body that day.
CUPPING & GUA SHA FOR PAIN & MUSCLE TENSION
Extra Support for the Areas That Just Won’t Let Go
Cupping and gua sha are especially useful when pain has a muscular component.
If you've ever had that spot in your neck, shoulder, or back that feels like it needs to release but never quite does, you know exactly what I mean.
These techniques may be incorporated into treatment for:
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Neck and shoulder pain
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Back pain
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Muscle tightness
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Exercise-related soreness
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Hip tension
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Headaches associated with muscle tension
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Limited range of motion
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Chronic areas of stiffness
For many patients, I combine these techniques with acupuncture to address both the painful area and the underlying patterns contributing to the problem.
WHAT DOES TREATMENT FEEL LIKE?
Comfortable, Adjustable & Surprisingly Relaxing
Cupping usually feels like a pulling or stretching sensation. I can adjust the amount of suction depending on the area being treated and your comfort level.
Gua sha feels more like firm pressure as the tool moves across the skin. Neither treatment should feel unbearable.
I always want you to tell me if something feels too intense so I can adjust the treatment.
And yes—many of my patients actually find cupping very relaxing.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CUPPING & GUA SHA
Does cupping hurt?
Cupping shouldn't be painful. You'll usually feel pressure, pulling, or a stretching sensation where the cups are placed. The amount of suction can be adjusted for your comfort.
How long do cupping marks last?
Cupping marks typically fade within several days, although darker marks can sometimes take longer. How much marking you experience can vary from treatment to treatment.
Is gua sha painful?
Gua sha can feel intense over particularly tight areas, but it shouldn't be unbearable. Pressure can be adjusted throughout the treatment to keep you comfortable.
Does gua sha leave marks?
It can. Gua sha may cause temporary redness or small red or purple areas called sha. These marks typically fade naturally over the following days.
Can cupping and gua sha be combined with acupuncture?
Absolutely. I frequently incorporate cupping or gua sha into acupuncture treatments when I think they will benefit the patient. The combination can be particularly helpful when treating pain, tight muscles, and areas of stubborn tension.
Where can I get cupping therapy in Altamonte Springs, Florida?
Cupping and gua sha are available at New Direction Natural Medicine in Altamonte Springs, Florida.
Dr. Stephanie Bartolotti, AP, DACM, provides acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine therapies for patients in Altamonte Springs and throughout Orlando, Longwood, Maitland, Winter Park, Lake Mary, Apopka, and surrounding Central Florida communities.